Switzerland Point Middle School
Raider Rap -December 8, 2021
From Ms. Carnall
Good Afternoon,
It's that time of year where some are experiencing illness, and family events or trips are causing extended absences. Please be sure to communicate with your students' teachers so we can plan ahead for work missed. The end of the second quarter (first semester) is on December 21 and we would like all students to be able to end the quarter with all work and assessments completed.
There is a lot going on the next 11 days of school. Please make sure you read everything below so as not to miss out on anything!
Sincerely,
Ms. Carnall
Wolfson's Child Life Wish List
Dear Switzerland Point Families,
Each year at SPMS, we like to support a local organization for the holiday season. This year we are supporting Wolfson Children’s Hospital by donating to their Child Life Wish List. Please see below for the link to their amazon account.
- Click on the link below
- Click on Shop Charity lists
- Enter your Amazon account information
- Once in your account click on Child Life Wish List
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/ch/list/59-2487135/ref=smj__cl__ls__llol__lol
Once on their wish list page you can browse through the many things that they give to their patients not only during Christmas but throughout the year. A few things to note: infants and teens are often over looked, gifts are selected by Wolfson’s staff, and you may have your item shipped directly to you and either sent it in unwrapped with your child or drop it off at the front office. Or you may have it shipped directly to our school.
c/o Caryn Patterson
777 Greenbriar Road
Saint Johns, FL 32259
Thank you!
Testing Information
Testing Information:
There will be a modified bell schedule during the week of Winter Exams from Monday, December 13th to Friday, December 17th. All students will follow the modified bell schedule to accommodate the students who are testing. Please see the bell schedule attached. District Midterm Exams will be given for Algebra, Geometry and Biology. District Final Exams will be given for STEM, PE, and Learning Strategies.
Proctors:
Winter testing season is here, and we need your help! Please use the link to sign up to be a Proctor! Your help is greatly appreciated! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4DAEAA23ABFD0-winter
Candy Cane Grams
The SPMS Cheer Squad is hosting a fundraiser -- Candy Cane Grams! Spread some cheer to your friends and family at Swiss Point, or buy one for yourself. Candy Cane Grams will be on sale for $1 during lunches starting Friday 12/10 to Thursday 12/16. Delivery of Candy Canes will begin 12/13 until 12/17. Thank you for supporting the Cheer Squad!
Character Counts! 6K/3K Run/Walk
The CHARACTER COUNTS! Steering Committee is calling all walkers, runners and fitness enthusiasts to participate in the CHARACTER COUNTS! 6K/3K Run/Walk on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 9 a.m. The run/walk will begin and end at Palencia Elementary School located at 355 Palencia Village Drive, St. Augustine.
Walkers and runners will enjoy a course running through the neighborhoods of Kensington and Las Calinas and can choose to participate in the 6K (3.73 miles) or 3K (1.86 miles) distance.
Registration fees are as follows:
6K: $30 before January 1 $35 January 1-January 31 $40 on race day
3K: $25 before January 1 $30 January 1-January 31 $35 on race day
Registration forms and more information are available online at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/StAugustine/CHARACTERCOUNTSinStJohnsCountySixPillars6K3KRunWalk
Race proceeds support CHARACTER COUNTS! initiatives throughout the St. Johns County School District (SJCSD). The run/walk is open to all ages, and the top three winners will be awarded in each of the age categories as well as the overall male and female finishers. A cash donation will be awarded to the top three schools with the most registrants. In 2020, these schools were Palm Valley Academy, Valley Ridge Academy and Ocean Palms Elementary School. All race registrants will receive a t-shirt and other goodies from area businesses and organizations. At the finish line, each race participant will receive a commemorative item.
This event is produced by the CHARACTER COUNTS! Steering Committee and is presented by Beaver Toyota with support from businesses and community groups. Action News Jax CBS47/FOX30 is the official media sponsor of this run/walk.
The SJCSD, along with area businesses, youth organizations and civic groups, selected the national character education program of CHARACTER COUNTS! as a countywide initiative to instill positive character traits in young people throughout the county. Additionally, the SJCSD became the first school district in Florida to implement Pursuing Victory With Honor in all of its athletic programs. Character education is an important part of every School Improvement Plan and a major component of the Student Code of Conduct and the school district’s Strategic Plan.
YEARBOOK
Want to buy an SPMS yearbook? Order online at Yearbookordercenter.com and enter our school code 359.
Girls Recreational Lacrosse (Grades 3-8):
Please note that this is not an SPMS sponsored activity.
Registration is still open for Grizzlies Spring Recreational Lacrosse for girls in grades 3rd-8th grade. Registration will close December 31. Click here to learn more and to register:
http://www.grizzlieslaxclub.com/spring-league-3rd-8th.html
Questions? Email: grizzlieslacrosseclub@gmail.com
COVID Information
You should continue to use the Student Health Screening Entry form and monitor your student for symptoms. The answers to all symptoms/questions should be no for your student to attend school. Please see the attached documents for assistance.
The COVID info web page for SJCSD families is now live at
https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/covid-19/ Here you will find the most up to date COVID information. This site includes the COVID Dashboard, Quarantine Help Guides, directions to access online textbooks and Schoology, and Health & Safety resources.
As you know, masks are optional for all adults and students. We will continue to respect each other’s choices and personal space. We will continue with many of our protocols from last year to reduce congestion in the hallways and cafeteria. Hand sanitizer will be available in the offices, hallways and classrooms for student access. We will continue with our cleaning and disinfecting protocols from last year as directed by the SJCSD.
On 9/22/2021, the Department of Health has updated their emergency rule (64DER21-15) to include student quarantines.
- Student quarantines: (3)(a) Parents or legal guardians of students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 may choose one of the following options:
- Allow the student to attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property, without restrictions or disparate treatment, so long as the student remains asymptomatic; or
- Quarantine the student for a period of time not to exceed seven days from the date of last direct contact with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.
Based on this new ruling, you have a choice whether to quarantine your child or not, if they have no symptoms. You will receive email communication if your student was a close contact providing your choices.
To be clear, if your child has NO symptoms and is on quarantine, they may return to school if you choose. This begins today. If you choose to quarantine, you need to contact the District COVID support team and report that you are opting to quarantine your child. This also begins today.
Due to this change in policy, it is more important than ever to monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home if they are not well. We want students to be in school learning and we also want children healthy and safe. We are in this together and will continue to work together to navigate this new normal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please call 904-547-8230 for further clarification.
If your child is quarantined they should be checking Schoology daily. They should go to each teacher's updates tab for the daily/weekly assignments. All work to be completed will be available on Schoology and should be uploaded on the due date. If a student needs help or has questions they can message their teacher. Students can also access their online textbooks from home as well.
SSYRA Information
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Program is in full swing here at Swiss! Students are enjoying earning brag tags and a variety of prizes after reading them and taking a short quiz. SSYRA books can be checked out in the library, or online as audio or e books. Please see this year’s list attached.
PE Uniform Update
- All sizes/PE uniform items are back in stock for purchase.
- The PE Uniform purchase link is back open and will remain open until 12/31/21. You can find it under Important Links on the School website.
- If you purchase a uniform from this point on, please note the following:
- Uniforms will ONLY be issued on Wednesdays at the beginning of PE class.
- Students must present their receipt for their PE uniform purchase (printed receipt or an emailed copy/screen shot on their phone)
Special Message on the Marquee
SPMS National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring an opportunity to send a special birthday or congratulations message to your student via the marquee in the front of school. Cost is $25. Complete the form here to submit your request (there's a separate link in the form to pay via Schoolpay upon submitting your request). Requests are due the Friday prior to the event and will display the following week (Tuesday through Monday). Example: if you turn in the request on Friday, September 17 then your message will be displayed on Tuesday, September 21.
SPMS PTSO UPDATES
http://www.swisspointptso.com/
MEETING: December 13th, 10 AM, Swiss Point Middle School
Feel free to join us to see what PTSO is all about during our December meeting. The Zoom link will be posted on Facebook the day of the meeting.
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES FUNDRAISER – DECEMBER CONTEST ORDER NOW
Now through December 10 we will have a contest to see if we can sell 800 cakes. If we get to 800, PTSO will buy a cake for each of 120 plus staff members.
For $ 5.00 your student will be able to order bundtlette cakes that will be delivered to their 7th period class on December 16th. This delicious fundraiser helps PTSO fund initiatives like the Raider Store, Field Studies and Class Room Grants.
Order forms will be given to Homeroom teachers and be available at the collection box.
The blue collection box will be in the Main Hall by the Library. Online ordering is also available at: www.swisspointptso.com
This will be the FINAL cake sale for a while. Help us get to 800 cakes!
SWISS POINT CARES –
Swiss Point Cares is our initiative to help our sister school South Woods Elementary. This year we were able to donate a $ 40.00 Amazon classroom grant to each classroom teacher who gave us a wishlist. The classroom items are being delivered to South Wood this month. Thank you for supporting SPMS PTSO so that we are able to help other schools in our community.
COMING SOON – Our Annual Swiss Point Care Book Drive is coming in January. Please save your gently used children’s books for ages pre K to 5th. We will have a contest between all the Homerooms. The Homeroom in each grade who donates the most books will win a cookie and hot chocolate party.
Last year during this event Swiss Point donated enough books for each South Woods student to take home two books in the summer.
NEON BASH –
Neon bash was a huge success, selling out on tickets. A huge thanks to the staff that donated their personal time to help with this event. The PTSO could not have these fun events for students without our amazing volunteers and the support of SPMS staff.
The students danced, did crafts, took photos in the booth and of course enjoyed the concessions.
TEACHER APPRECITAION
Our wonderful staff was treated to pies in November by our Staff Appreciation volunteers. Thank you to this committee for putting together a nice treat SPMS staff.
In December, staff will be treated to a luncheon with a raffle with donated goodies.
RAIDER STORE - DECEMBER 17th
Student earn points for good behavior and academic achievement. Our students are recognized for being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. Thank you to our volunteers and staff that make this store happen for our students.
SPIRIT WEAR STORE: Reopening soon
The final spirit wear order arrived and was distributed. PTSO will be reopening the Spirit Wear store online to sell our remaining inventory soon.
SPMS students can wear spirit wear anytime including days our athletic teams play to show support. Fridays are Spirit wear day at Swiss. Students may receive special treats for showing their Raider spirit.
SUPPORT SPMS AS BUSINESS PARTNER
Do you own a business or work for a business with an interest in supporting education? Our Partners in Education Program is a great opportunity to support SPMS and spread the word about your company to the local community. Sponsorships help the PTSO fund many school initiatives.
For more information, please contact Carly McCollum at cm0929@gmail.com or check out our information online on the PTSO website.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PTSO
AmazonSmile - Shop through the PTSO link on AmazonSmile! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3741022
While you do your regular shopping on Amazon thru AmazonSmile, .5% of your purchase will be donated to SPMS.
SPMS has earned $ 92.15 so far this year.
Box Tops – Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipts for SMPS PTSO to get Box Top credits.
Keep an eye on the PTSO website, Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on what is coming up throughout the year!
Questions/concerns?? spmsptso@hotmail.com
For up to date happenings LIKE us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/SwissPointPTSO/
SPMS PTSO is on INSTAGRAM! Follow us at https://www.instagram.com/spmsptso/
Check the PTSO website for all the latest news! http://www.swisspointptso.com/